Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt - Kat and Brandy

I can't disguise my excitement about the new book that I have had the great pleasure in illustrating! I mean, yes- it's a heartwarming, wonderful story: tick! And there's an animal involved: tick! But I can't lie- it feels super exciting to illustrate a book created by a celebrity!  The book: Kat and Brandy, the author: Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt- New York Times bestselling author, mother, and host of BDA Baby. Animal advocate- Ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) and the ASPCA (aspca.org). She is also a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. The daughter of the actor and politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and journalist and author, Maria Shriver. Married to actor Chris Pratt. How's that! Are you impressed? ☺️ I was also stoked right up to my eyeballs...no, wait...to the top of my enormously tall imaginary hat of hopeful expectations, that the publisher was Penguin US! AND lucky enough to be able to work with the very patient and sweet and brilliant- Taylor Abatiell - assistant art director at Penguin Random House. I so hope I get to work with Taylor again at some time, she was wonderful all the way through.

Kat and Brandy is based on the real-life relationship between the author and her childhood pony, Brandy. The story tells how Kat has been pony-mad for as long as she can remember... she practically grew up in a pair of jodhpurs. But after falling from her pony, her confidence took a tumble too and she could not bring herself to ride again. Then along comes Brandy, a rescue horse with a wary eye, a lovely white coat, and a scar that hints at past troubles. Kat sees something of herself in Brandy, and bit by bit, with quiet patience and a lot of heart, they help each other refind their confidence. The book includes a letter to the reader, about how special relationships with animals can lift our hearts, and sometimes help us face fears we thought were far too big for us. 

Pre-order from Penguin Random House